Saw The Young Victoria tonight and I really enjoyed it. This is a very well done historical drama with excellent costumes, acting, cinematography, and it also doubles as a chick flick for the ladies.
I am a history and travel buff, and had the privilege of going to London last June. I was able to see some of Kensington Palace and the grounds, and also the Victoria and Albert museum, among other sights. This film really was especially enjoyable because I wanted to know more about this amazing Queen's life and times.
The film is a study in courage and strength, as well as making decisions when in power. It is not a dry history, but I believe it is pretty accurate. It focuses on the early life and ascension to the throne of England's longest reigning monarch, and her stuggles and will to be a good ruler, and her marriage to of Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, who was one of her cousins. He and she were related to half of the rulers of Europe, which in itself is fascinating part of history to me.
The movie portrays both Victoria and Albert as good people who were socially active in the same way Princess Diana is admired. Victoria allowed Albert to eventually participate in the work that Victoria did, and their love and devotion to each other is inspirational.
The movie ends at just the right time, before going into lots of details after the first few years of her reign, and possibly becoming too long or boring. It does not candy coat, yet it is very inspirational. Amazing scenes of palaces and court activities, beautiful music.
The theater was amazing - the Ballantye Village Theater. This theater is on the third floor in a shopping and residential "village" in south Charlotte. It features smaller amphitheater-type seating in the 4 theaters with modern seating and also "luxury" seating with leather seats and wooden tray-armrests if you wish to pay an additional 2.50. They offer wine and beer and possibly even mixed drinks and coffee drinks. They offer personal pizzas which they will deliver to your seats! We ordered one and waited for it before discovering this. All in all an excellent theater which also shows more of the artsy films.
